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Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder
Andrew McCutchen and Detroit Tigers third baseman
Miguel Cabrera won the Most Valuable Player awards, it was announced
yesterday.

McCutchen won the National League honor, receiving 28 of 30 first-place votes from members of
the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Cabrera took the American League prize for the second
straight year, with 23 of 30 first-place votes.

• Major League Baseball took the first vote in a two-step process, unanimously approving funding
for expanded instant replay in 2014. Team owners, meeting in Orlando, Fla., plan to approve the new
rules when they meet on Jan. 16 in Paradise Valley, Ariz., after agreements with the unions for
umpires and players.

“This is quite historic,” commissioner
Bud Selig said.

MLB allowed instant replay starting in August 2008, but only to determine whether potential home
runs were fair or cleared fences.

Now, virtually every decision likely will be subject to review, except balls and strikes,
checked swings and some foul tips.

Swimming

Phelps’ actions hint at possible comeback

Michael Phelps has rejoined the U.S. drug testing program, the strongest signal
yet that he’s planning a comeback for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Phelps said that “nothing is set in stone,” though he has enjoyed getting back into shape and
working out with his former team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.

Schmid will return next season as Sounders coach

Despite a late-season swoon that cost the Seattle Sounders playoff positioning and a shot at the
Supporters’ Shield, the only coach in the Major League Soccer franchise’s history will be back next
season.

Sigi Schmid will return as coach in 2014, the team announced.

The status of Schmid, who coached the Crew to the 2008 MLS Cup, had been in doubt after the
Sounders flopped at the end of the season, going winless in nine of their final 10 games, and were
ousted in the Western Conference semifinals by Portland.

Elsewhere

Heisman winner pardoned for 43-year-old crime

Forty-three years after he and two other men held up a gas station following a night of
drinking, 1972 Heisman Trophy winner
Johnny Rodgers was granted a pardon from the state of Nebraska.

The Board of Pardons voted 3-0 to pardon the 62-year-old Rodgers, who has spent his
post-football life as an entrepreneur and pitchman in Omaha, Neb.

•
Henrik Stenson strengthened his chances of winning the European Tour money title,
shooting a 4-under-par 68 that left him two shots behind leader
Alejandro Canizares after the first round of the season-ending World Tour
Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Having already won the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, Stenson also leads the Race to Dubai standings and
was two shots ahead of nearest rival and playing partner
Justin Rose, who had a 70.